Gohmert Objects to President Obama’s Eastern District of Texas Judge Nominee

Sends letter recommending selection of persons who reside in the district for which they are nominated

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01) released the following statement today regarding his opposition to the nomination of Karen Gren Scholer to fill a vacancy on the federal district court for the Eastern District of Texas:

“It is my firm belief that an individual who lives and works within the Eastern District of Texas should be selected to fill such an important vacancy within this area. Otherwise, the message is that out of the thousands of attorneys living within this one fourth of the State, no one is properly qualified. Having served on both a district bench and appellate bench in east Texas, I am convinced that there are a great many lawyers and judges in east Texas who can go toe to toe with any lawyers or judges in the country."

"The suggested nominee appears to be eminently qualified, and no disrespect is intended to her recommendation as an attorney and judge. It appears she may well be an appropriate nominee in the district in which she lives. However, there are a number of eminently qualified people who live in this district as well, who could fill such a rare opening."

"Most Presidents favor nominating individuals with their same party affiliation, but there are extremely capable attorneys and judges in east Texas who are Democrats and additional time should be given to persuade them to apply now that we see the President does not consider current applicants acceptable. Some have practiced law in front of me, or been colleagues on the State bench at the same time. There are some judges elected or appointed as Republicans who should also be acceptable. Though I would not accept a nomination to the bench at this point in my life no matter who was President, I know plenty in east Texans who are qualified and would make us quite proud as federal judges here in our fourth of this great State.”

Congressman Gohmert is the Chairman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and the Vice Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. Prior to being elected to serve in Congress, he was elected to three terms as State District Judge in Smith County, Texas and was appointed by then Texas Governor Rick Perry to complete a term as Chief Justice of the 12th Court of Appeals of Texas.
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